Course Details in 2020/21 Session

Module Title	LM Security Analysis and Portfolio Theory
School	Birmingham Business School
Department	Birmingham Business School
Module Code	07 27183
Module Lead	Dr. Paola Paiardini
Level	Masters Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Exclusions
Description	The module aims to provide an understanding of returns and risks associated with different types of financial securities and, which in the case of equities, are characteristics used to illustrate the diversification benefits of combining assets to form portfolios. The latter forms the basis for discussing asset allocation in general, using mean-variance optimisation both without, and in the presence of a risk free asset. Practical difficulties with simple mean variance optimisation are reviewed and other methods of asset allocation presented. The capital asset pricing and arbitrage pricing models are reviewed. The valuation of equities is presented both from domestic and international markets standpoints. Bond valuation and price sensitivity to interest rates changes are discussed using the concepts of bond duration and convexity. Market efficiency and behavioural finance developments are reviewed. An introduction to derivatives focuses on the pricing of futures contracts and models for pricing of options and illustrations of their potential use for hedging portfolio risks and changing portfolio exposures to asset types, currencies and markets are provided. The final section of the module deals with various methods employed to evaluate portfolio performance.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of portfolio theory; Critically analyze the construction of asset portfolios; Display a detailed understanding of advanced security analysis; Appraise and synthesise the relevant literature explaining how theories have been tested and the results obtained.
Assessment	27183-01 : Assignment : Coursework (20%) 27183-02 : Exam : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (80%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: 2000 word assignment (20%) 2 hour written examination (80%) Reassessment: 2 hour examination (100%)
Other
Reading List